AGRICULTURE, ENERGY

AND THE ENVIRONMENT

AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE UNIT 2
 Introduction to Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of the soil or waters to produce food products such as crops and livestock.
Agriculture, whether simple or commercial, normally follows a system.

Farming system is the integration of all the inputs of agricultural production into production systems.

Crops are the products for food and other commercial products, including oils (for example, soybeans and
sunflower), medicines, pesticides, rubber, lumber and fibre.
 DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Many factors have contributed to the evolution of the agricultural systems in the caribbean.
Many factors have contributed to the evolution of the agricultural systems in the caribbean.

Climate
The tropical climate provides conditions conductive to the planting, growing and harvesting
of crops or the rearing of livestocks.

Land
Much of the land has soils that are appropriate for production of crops.
History

Historically, the caribbean countries were colonies of Europe nations; farming was intended not only to feed the colonists but also to produce cash crops and to supply food fHistory
Historically,the Caribbean countries were colonies of European nations; farming was intended not only to feed the colonist but also to produce cash crops and to supply food for the home
country. This meant the cultivation of particular crops such as sugar, cotton, tobacco and tea, as well as the production of animal production of animal products such as wool and hides.

Technology
The Caribbean agricultural system is changing from subsistence farming to commercial farming, due to greater availability of capital and input and advancement of technology.Most
farms are becoming more mechanised and some are even becoming automagted.or the home country. This meant the cultivation of particular crops such as sugar, cotton, tobacco and
tea, as well a the production of animal products such as wool and hides.

Technology

The Caribbean agricultural systems is changing from subsistence farming to commercial farming to commercial farming, due to greater availability of capital and input advancement of
technology. Most farms are becoming more mechanised and some are even becoming automated.
Modern farms operate very much as a system and have marked inputs, processes and outputs. The
inputs can be divided into physical and human factors, which vary widely from country to country and
place to place.

Physical factors Human factors

1. Soils - farming depends upon the 1. Capital - Money to rent or buy

depth, stoniness, texture, water materials and machinery can have a
retention capacity, pH and mineral massive impact upon farming
content of soils. systems.

2. Wind - Strong winds can damage plants 2. Revolution has transformed agriculture
and increase evapotranspiration rates. in certain parts of the world and is tied in
with technological innovation.
Physical factors Human factors

3. Gradient - Steep gradients tend to encourage 3. Farm size - This is critical, as larger farms tend to
pastoral farming as machinery can only really work be more efficient as they can take advantage of
on slopes under 11°. In South East Asia Terracing economies of scale.
has been used to overcome this problem where
population densities are high and pressure on
lowlands

4. Temperature - this is critical for plant growth as 4. Inheritance laws - who inherits land once a
all crops have a minimum temperature in which landowner dies is a critical factor affecting farming.
they will grow and a minimum growing season. In
Britain, wheat and Barley will only grow when the
average temperature is above 6°C.
 Caribbean Agricultural Production

● Crop production- food crops such as wheat, rice, sugar are grown. Large amounts of land are required and
generally only a few single species are planted.

Advantages

1. Improving crop productivity.

2. Improving yield stability and disease/pest resistance.
3. Enhancing nutritional content of crops.
4. Minimizing adverse environmental impacts.
 ● Animal Husbandry- is the rearing of domesticated animals such as; pigs, poultry and cattle for food and for
useful byproducts. Animals are maintained on pastures olr ranges. Other livestock types include sheep, goats,
water buffalo and buffalypso.

Advantages

1. Animal husbandry helps in the proper management of animals by providing proper food, shelter and protection
against diseases to domestic animals.
2. It provides employment to a large number of farmer and thereby increases their living standards.
3. It helps in developing high yielding breeds of animals by cross breeding. This increases the production of
various food products such as milk, eggs, meat, etc.
4. It involves the proper disposal of animal waste and promotes a healthy environment
Disdavantages

1. Mass environmental damage.

2. High levels of pollution,
3. Compromised animal welfare.
4. Increased public health risks such as zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance.
 ● Mariculture- is the cultivation, management, and harvesting of marine organisms in their natural environment
(including estuarine, brackish, coastal, and offshore waters) or in enclosures such as pens, tanks, or channels.

Advantages

1. Help meet seafood demands without further depleting wild populations.

2. Contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources.
3. It can have a smaller environmental footprint compared to traditional agriculture.
4. smaller carbon footprint, using less land and fresh water and can help reduce the pressure on wild fisheries.
Disadvantages

1. here may be more diseases as the fish live so close and are selectively bred.
2. Fish may be fed pellets made from less valuable fish meaning that other fish have a reduced food
supply.
3. In outdoor farms drugs used can pollute the water.
4. Sterile water , pesticides and antibodies many be used to control diseases.
● Aquaculture- is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms in all types of
water environments.

Advantages

1. Provides Fish for Consumption Without Overfishing.

2. Can Pair With Hydroponic Plant Growth for a Closed System
3. Fish convert nutrients into body protein more efficiently than cattle or chickens.
4. It protects biodiversity by reducing fishing activities on wild stocks in their ecosystems
5. Fish convert nutrients into body protein more efficiently than cattle or chickens.
Disadvantages

1. Antibiotics and chemicals that are used to treat fish can have an unfavorable effect on the local environment.
2. Fish are also vulnerable to parasite infestations.
3. Can Damage the Local Gene Pool if Farmed Fish Escape.
4. Can Lead to Invasive Species Damaging Ecosystems.
5. The high degree of organization and record keeping need to demonstrate performance.
6. The and the time it takes to complete assurance requirements (which can range from one to four days).
7. Cost
 ● Genetic engineering-is a type of modern biotechnology used to modify the genome – or genetic material – of
living organisms. This method introduces specific novel traits into a plant or animal by direct manipulation of
its genome.

Advantages

1. Increased crop yields.

2. Reduced costs for food or drug production.
3. Reduced need for pesticides
4. Enhanced nutrient composition and food quality.
5. Resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world's growing population.
Disadvantage

1. The creation of food that can cause an allergic reaction.

2. GMO (genetically modified organism) that can cause harmful genetic effects.
3. Genes moving from one species to another that is not genetically engineered.
4. The production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity.
Factors that influence crop selection

● The conditions that particular plants need to thrive and to be productive.

● The farming systems that will make the crop economic.
● The local environmental conditions.
● The value our culture places on the crop, either as a food source or as a raw material.
Questions
Due September 29,2023

1. Define Agriculture. (2 marks)

2. Name two (2) factors have contributed to the evolution of the agricultural systems in the
caribbean. (2 marks)
3. Discuss the Historical development of agricultural systems. (include both positive and negative
changes). ( 3 marks)
4. What are the two groups of inputs used in Agriculture? (2 marks)
5. Differentiate between aquaculture and mariculture. (Include 2 advantages and Disadvantages of
each. ( 8 marks)
6. List three (3) factors that influence crop selection. (3 marks).

Total: 20 Marks

Enjoy!!!!!!!